Friends and Foes - Artificial Intelligence in Films
Stories about Robots, androids and artificial intelligence have been around since the 1907, when the first book portraying a humanoid mechanism - Lyman Frank Baum’s children’s novel "Ozama of Oz"- was published.
Since then, popular culture has received a constant influx on the subject, and film has been quick to explore the contributions and dangers of technology into our lives, both present and future.
In these films two main themes are most commonly explored: the question of humanity (what does it mean to be ‘human’?) and the fight against humanity (‘man vs machine’). Both present the wonder of discovery and creation, but also man’s ancient fear of domination and of losing control of their creation, like Doctor Frankenstein over his creature.
Friendly and fiendish, robots and androids have been both demonized and glorified in countless films.
In these films two main themes are most commonly explored: the question of humanity (what does it mean to be ‘human’?) and the fight against humanity (‘man vs machine’). Both present the wonder of discovery and creation, but also man’s ancient fear of domination and of losing control of their creation, like Doctor Frankenstein over his creature.
Friendly and fiendish, robots and androids have been both demonized and glorified in countless films.
From ‘Lost in Space’ to ‘Star Wars’, they have become more and more present in recent productions as technology advances, and we assimilate the use of real robots and machines with artificial intelligence into our daily lives.
Here’s a list of 19 indispensable films where robots, artificial intelligence and their complex interaction with humans take center stage.
This splendid silent film is charged with themes still relevant today: social struggle, worker’s oppression, love, greed.
Here’s a list of 19 indispensable films where robots, artificial intelligence and their complex interaction with humans take center stage.
METROPOLIS (1927)
This splendid silent film is charged with themes still relevant today: social struggle, worker’s oppression, love, greed.
The ‘man vs machine’ subject is explored at its most poignant, with a robot impersonating the girl leader of the workers, breaking havoc in their community and in the upper social classes.
Lost for a long time after World War II, new restorations have brought it back to life almost in its entirety. In spite of this and nearly one century after its release, ‘Metropolis’ is an icon of world cinema that continues to captivate and inspire new generations.
One of the first American robot films, it was set in a near future when aliens attempt to invade our planet.
THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL (1951)
One of the first American robot films, it was set in a near future when aliens attempt to invade our planet.
Although stiff, the character of the robot, ‘Gort’, is one of the very first in the history of American film to play a pivotal role in the story, and its stylised design was futuristic for its time.
The message ‘learn to live in peace or else be destroyed’ is fresh out from the atrocities of World War II, but one that still resonates today.
(Trivia data: ‘Gort’ is also the name of the Guardian of the Heart Machine in ‘Metropolis’)
Based on an eponymous novel by Arthur C. Clarke and released at the height of the space race, ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ became an instant classic still being referenced nowadays in films like ‘Gravity’ and ‘Interstellar’.
2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (1968)
Based on an eponymous novel by Arthur C. Clarke and released at the height of the space race, ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ became an instant classic still being referenced nowadays in films like ‘Gravity’ and ‘Interstellar’.
As the main computer taking over the spaceship during a supposed dangerous malfunction, HAL is the archetypal artificial intelligence villain.
‘2001' is a ‘man vs machine’ story at its most cerebral, where the only way to win is to beat the machine in its own game of logic.
Loosely based on Philip K Dick’s 1968 novel ‘Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?’, the Ridley Scott film not only opens a disturbing window into a possible dystopian future, but also into the soul of the machine.
BLADE RUNNER (1982)
Loosely based on Philip K Dick’s 1968 novel ‘Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?’, the Ridley Scott film not only opens a disturbing window into a possible dystopian future, but also into the soul of the machine.
For the first time, androids are not merely objects of destruction or defense, but also of desire, exploring their own developed consciences and blurring the boundaries between humanity and artificial intelligence.
The ‘Man vs Machine’ theme at its most literal.
THE TERMINATOR (1984)
The ‘Man vs Machine’ theme at its most literal.
Mixing time travel with a post-apocalyptic future in which machines have enslaved men, the film follows Kyle, a soldier from the future sent to rescue of Sarah Connor, the future mother of their rebel leader, while relentlessly hunted by a ‘Terminator’, a cyborg machine that will not stop at anything until she’s dead.
This is the quintessential film on the subject, making its point unmistakably clear: machines are the end of humankind.
A British TV film that spawned a TV series, it made a splash at its time and became a cult classic over the years.
MAX HEADROOM : 20 MINUTES INTO THE FUTURE (1984)
A British TV film that spawned a TV series, it made a splash at its time and became a cult classic over the years.
It was set on yet another dystopian future, but one where the android was virtual and full of pizzaz. For the first time, an A. I. creation was fun and eccentric, not merely smart or threatening.
Due to the lack of adequate technology, actor Matt Frewer played the character of ‘Max’ under heavy make-up and prosthetics to give the illusion of a digitally generated character; but the result achieved was good enough to convince the MTV generation and helped to inspire the motion capture method used today.
A first-class policeman dies in the line of duty, but is revived thanks to bionic engineering, turning him into the first-ever cyborg policeman.
ROBOCOP (1987)
A first-class policeman dies in the line of duty, but is revived thanks to bionic engineering, turning him into the first-ever cyborg policeman.
Divided between his robotic indestructibility and his lost humanity, neither machine nor man, ‘Robocop’ is part hero and part ‘Frankenstein’, establishing a conflict that, while not fully explored in the film, provided gravitas to the story and opened the gate to several sequels that continued banking on it.
A predecessor of ‘Wall-e’, this film explores feelings in a robot intended as a military weapon.
SHORT CIRCUIT (1987)
A predecessor of ‘Wall-e’, this film explores feelings in a robot intended as a military weapon.
The main achievement of this film is that the robot is an actual piece of machinery, and yet it was capable of connecting with audience at the emotional level.
At a time when society was rapidly adapting to PCs and the inclusion of new technologies everywhere, this film was a new attempt to humanize and demystify the evil nature of robots for the mainstream audience.
Set in Tokyo in 2029, the story follows a cyborg policewoman, Motoko Kusanagi, through a tangled crime investigation.
GHOST IN THE SHELL (1995)
Set in Tokyo in 2029, the story follows a cyborg policewoman, Motoko Kusanagi, through a tangled crime investigation.
Amidst the action, the film also raises the question of humanity, the debate between human rights and technology, and the ‘ghost in the shell’ or the spirit within the machines created by humans.
An iconic manga and anime film, it got a remake in 2017 with live actors that failed to capture the essence of the original.
Based on the 1976 short-story of the same name by Isaac Asimov (which won the Nebula and Hugo Awards), the film portrays the story of an android seeking to become human.
BICENTENNIAL MAN (1999)
Based on the 1976 short-story of the same name by Isaac Asimov (which won the Nebula and Hugo Awards), the film portrays the story of an android seeking to become human.
Although the relation with ‘Pinocchio’ is unavoidable, the character’s journey towards its goal is more metaphorical than physical.
While the comic gags and prosthetics don’t help the audience to relate to the android’s plight, as the story progresses it makes intriguing examinations on the meaning of being human and the value of life.
This Steven Spielberg film (originally set to be directed by Stanley Kubrick) presents the story of ‘David’, a unique robot boy programmed to love, created to help a mother in the mourning of her dead child.
A.I. (2001)
This Steven Spielberg film (originally set to be directed by Stanley Kubrick) presents the story of ‘David’, a unique robot boy programmed to love, created to help a mother in the mourning of her dead child.
However, things don’t go as planned and ‘David’ must go on a lengthy journey of self-discovery in search of his soul and the meaning of humanity.
Although poignant at times, this over-ambitious film feels too long and contrived, and fails to convey a clear message to the audience.
A modernized take of Isaac Asimov’s namesake novel from 1950, it establishes the three laws of robotics that still govern pretty much of the robotics universe in science Fiction.
I, ROBOT (2004)
A modernized take of Isaac Asimov’s namesake novel from 1950, it establishes the three laws of robotics that still govern pretty much of the robotics universe in science Fiction.
Made with the latest GCI available at the time, the film includes plenty of action and twists to keep the audience engaged until the end.
Although the story is also a ‘Man vs Machine’ tale, it opens the door to a possible harmonious collaboration between the two, a sign of the new times and the dawn of a new generation by now well familiarized with technology.
WALL-E (2008)
Can robots fall in love? The film’s premise and its exploration conform much of the backbone of this story, marketed to the children’s market but obviously intended for a wider audience.
A mostly wordless film, all emotions are conveyed through a series of beeps, chirps and electrical sounds, similar to those of R2-D2 in ‘Star Wars’.
With evident inspiration from the character of ‘Johnny 5' in "Short Circuit", this is one of the few films where robots are the main stars and the humans are portrayed as secondary characters.
Originated in 1963, the Astroboy anime created by Osamu Tezuka presented a Pinocchio-like storyline: in post-war Japan, a scientist creates a powerful war robot in the shape of a child.
ASTROBOY (2009)
Originated in 1963, the Astroboy anime created by Osamu Tezuka presented a Pinocchio-like storyline: in post-war Japan, a scientist creates a powerful war robot in the shape of a child.
The experiment goes awry, and the little android rejects his original purpose, becoming more and more human as he continues to interact with people.
The 2009 film remake of the classic character is ambivalent in its goal, but raises once again the question of the humanity of androids and the moral responsibility of humans behind such creations.
This little-known Spanish film presents the story of a robotics programmer returning to his hometown to work at his former university.
EVA (2011)
This little-known Spanish film presents the story of a robotics programmer returning to his hometown to work at his former university.
There he meets his brother, (now married to his former lover) and their child, Eva, a precocious girl with a mysterious secret.
A mixture of thriller, drama and cautionary tale, ‘Eva’ is as cool as the landscape where it was shot, away from the flashiness and hyper-futuristic sets associated with android films, making it thus more poignant in its heart wrenching realism.
Can machines replace people in personal relationships?
HER (2013)
Can machines replace people in personal relationships?
Spike Jonze’s subtle film explores the question from all angles in an intelligent manner, arising thought-provoking questions and allowing the audience to reach to their own conclusions.
Ultimately, ‘Her’ sheds light over the primary human need to ‘connect’, even if only to an illusion.
A concept partially explored in "Blade Runner 2049" (2017) to a lesser effect.
A robotics technician creates a medical android capable of reading people’s emotions.
BIG HERO 6 (2014)
A robotics technician creates a medical android capable of reading people’s emotions.
When the technician dies in an accident, his younger brother - Hiro, a tech whiz kid - discovers his creation and the tangle of conspiracy and corruption behind his death. With the help of the robot and a group of friends, Hiro fights back the evil doers and saves the day.
Although intended for children, the film captures with precision the relationship of today’s generation with technology, presenting a realistic and accessible approximation of what the near future could bring.
It’s ‘man vs machine’ once again. But although until now man has prevailed in this struggle, this time the machine gets its revenge - a take shared by the action-packed British film ‘The Machine’ from the same year.
EX-MACHINA (2014)
It’s ‘man vs machine’ once again. But although until now man has prevailed in this struggle, this time the machine gets its revenge - a take shared by the action-packed British film ‘The Machine’ from the same year.
Unlike the robots in Isaac Asimov’s novels, these new A. I. creatures don’t abide by the three laws and instead create their own.
A new trend that reflects the level of technical advance achieved in the last few years, and echoes one of humanity’s oldest fears: what would come to happen should our tech slaves suddenly rebelled against us.
I'M YOUR MAN (2021)
Germany's entry for the 2022 Academy Awards based on a short story by Emma Braslavsky, this film examines the human-robot relationship from an existential point of view.
In order to get funds for her research, a single academic archeologist (Alma) accepts to take part in a romantic experiment in which she has to live with a bespoke-designed robot (Tom) for three weeks.
From the beginning, Alma is cynical about the experiment and highly critical of Tom, considering the android a mere piece of machinery. But as she and Tom constantly shake each other's expectations and beliefs, Alma soon finds herself pondering what makes us human and what should be the measurement of happiness in our lives.
Wisely, the film ends on an open ending, allowing the viewers to find their own answers.
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It’s interesting to notice that the more modern the film, the less scary the portrayal of the robot is.
Also, films aimed at the younger audience tend to present robots as friendly and approachable, while those intended for the adult public usually portray them under a less benign light, probably as a reflection of the fears it inspires in them.
Robots and androids are a mirror of ourselves, and as such they provide an almost inextinguishable source of inspiration, allowing us to reflect on our own humanity while stretching our imagination, providing us with a window to our dreams, wishes and fears.
We can't wait to see what the next stories will bring.
If you’re interested in the subject and want to explore it further, you can check the following link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_intelligence_in_fiction
Robots and androids are a mirror of ourselves, and as such they provide an almost inextinguishable source of inspiration, allowing us to reflect on our own humanity while stretching our imagination, providing us with a window to our dreams, wishes and fears.
We can't wait to see what the next stories will bring.
To Learn More...
If you’re interested in the subject and want to explore it further, you can check the following link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_intelligence_in_fiction
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